Guidebook for the Dark Duke

Chapter 6 - Problems Arise

Evan stayed in Cornwall Manor that night and Dr. Hester also stayed. Little Edward suddenly developed a high fever in the middle of the night and he started saying nonsense. Evan didn’t sleep almost all through the night and so did the duke. He was in a state of disarray by Edward’s bed, exuding a gloomy aura.

By the time the day dawned, Edward’s fever had finally subsided. According to the medical conditions of this era, bloodletting* was generally adopted for cases of fever but Edward was only six years so there was a small episode and Dr. Hester didn’t dare to do such a thing so his condition worsened for a while.

Seeing Duke Wilson’s dark face, that was comparable to the bottom of a pot, Dr. Hester was really worried. Fortunately, Evan still had some common medical knowledge. He immediately asked him to get a servant to bring cold water and apply cold compresses on Edward so he could cool down. There was some hesitation on his part at first but unable to come up with a better method of treatment, he could only let Evan do what he wanted.

The Duke, on the other hand, was very open-minded. He had almost no doubts about Evan, so he ordered the butler to bring cold water. Of course, it could also be because he was very desperate. You must know that having fever in this era is a very serious matter, it could turn into pneumonia and lead to death.

Seeing that Edward’s face gradually turned rosy, Duke Wilson’s face was no longer ugly. He glanced reproachfully at Dr. Hester and Dr. Hester shamefully lowered his head.

“Reverend Bruce, thank you very much for today.” Duke Wilson turned to look at Evan with grateful eyes.

Evan smiled humbly, “It is God’s blessings that Lord Edward can get better.”

Duke Wilson’s expression was stiff, he nodded reluctantly, drew a cross on his chest and said dryly, “Praise the word of God.”

Evan looked slightly funny, it seems that this legendary devout believer is not so devout after all.

On the other hand, Dr. Hester pulled Evan aside with a look of interest and asked him where he had learned the treatment method. How could Evan tell him the truth? He had to answer perfunctorily that he heard it from a doctor by chance. Dr. Hester sighed, wishing he could immediately consult with this non-existent doctor.

Evan got out of Dr. Hester’s questioning with embarrassment and walked to Edward’s bed. He was already awake at this time but his face still didn’t look good. He was lying on his bed with his eyes half-closed. His face had no expression, completely inconsistent with his lovely appearance.

Evan knew that Lord Edward’s character was definitely not good. Even the heroine in the original book had to waste a lot of effort in order to get close to him, so he tried his best to gentle and gently whispered, “How do you feel now, Lord Edward?”

Edward glanced at Evan lazily with no expression on his face, “Uncomfortable.” There was a hint of fatigue in his soft voice.

Evan reached out and touched his forehead, and smiled softly, “The fever had subsided, you will get better soon.”

Looking at Edward, Duke Wilson frowned and said solemnly, “Is there anyway to ease his pain?”

Evan’s outstretched hand paused slightly, and then smiled, “Lord Edward sweated a lot tonight. As long as you use the water appropriately, he will slowly get better.”

Being sick is a serious matter. If he knew how to ease the pain of the sick, he would not need to be a priest.

Duke Wilson nodded solemnly, turned his head to give Butler Chris some instructions and then he looked a little stiffly at Edward who had woken up, and said coldly, “It is thanks to Reverend Bruce that you were saved this time. Don’t do these dangerous things again.”

Evan was a little surprised. The current Duke Wilson is completely different from the worried father from before. Is this the way the father and son got along?

Edward seemed to have gotten used to this way of getting along, he just nodded slightly and said thank you to Evan again.

Evan smiled and nodded but didn’t say much. It seems that he can’t intervene easily now. He still has to observe carefully. He remembers very clearly that the reason for the duke’s blackening in the book was because of Edward’s death. The child was born with a golden spoon** but his body was very weak. Later, because of the unrest in Yorkshire, things also went wrong in Cornwall Manor. Not only did Lord Edward die, even the heroine was also injured.

Duke Wilson was furious because of this and almost turned Delanlier upside down. The duke completely blackened and a slaughter occurred.

Now that Lord Edward is out of danger, Evan had no reason to stay in Cornwall Manor. He didn’t wait for others to chase him and he proposed to leave.

‘I haven’t done the morning announcement today, I have to go back to the church first.” Evan said to the duke.

Duke Wilson nodded slightly and his attitude towards Evan was obviously different from his previous one, “I have troubled Reverend Bruce.” After that he instructed Butler Chris to show him out in person.

Butler Chris bowed and took the order.

Evan left Cornwall Manor with the butler and Butler Chris was very dedicated in sending him outside the iron gate, which wax a treatment he did not have when he first came.

Evan was very satisfied with this visit. He had successfully established a preliminary contact with Duke Wilson. How it will develop from now on depends on him.

By the time Evan returned to the church, the morning prayers were done and Mrs Sanders was sitting in the living room reading a book while wearing a pair of reading glasses.

Seeing Evan enter, she didn’t have a good look on her face, “Why are you just coming back now, Reverend Bruce? You’re being too irresponsible.”

Evan smiled bitterly, “Lord Edward had a fever last night, the duke asked me to pray for him before his bed.”

Mrs Sanders was shocked when she heard this and hurriedly stood up, “A fever? How is Lord Edward now?”

Seeing Mrs Sanders’ anxious expression, Evan once again confirmed his inference. He had never seen Mrs Sanders commit such a gaffe, her concern for the child is proof of her motherhood.

“Lord Edward is alright. The fever subsided in the morning and he is much better now.”

Hearing Evan’s words, Mrs Sanders was obviously relieved, “It is good that the fever has subsided. God bless him.”

Because of this incident, Mrs Sanders’ attitude towards Evan was obviously much better. She took a ledger from the table, pointed out a part to Evan and said, “Reverend Bruce, there is something wrong with this account, the discrepancy is obvious. It is somewhat outrageous. A pound for an ounce of beef, I’ve never heard of something so outrageous.”

Evan frowned and took the ledger, he still didn’t really expect that this would turn out to be true. There is a problem with the ledger which is completely unmentioned in the original book.

Evan checked the accounts on each page one by one. The problem is not just one. Evan made an initial estimate that there is at least five or six hundred pounds missing. He doesn’t know which crappy accountant made this ledger, it’s simply outrageous.

“Where is the official in charge of the ledger?” Evan said solemnly.

Mrs Sanders took off her glasses, rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly and whispered, “I just asked him. Before Reverend Ross left his office, the ledger was kept in his hands. Yes, he only took over a few days ago and he doesn’t know the problem.”

Evan closed the ledger, he roughly had an answer in his heart.

“Call the police, this matter is beyond our ability.” He must not carry the blame.

Mrs Sanders looked at Evan in surprise, and raised her voice, “Call the police?” Then she immediately realised her mistake and lowered her voice, “How can the police know about this kind of thing? It will affect the image and reputation of the church.”

Evan pondered over Mrs Sanders’ statement, and then said, “But there is such a big discrepancy, if we don’t call the police, how can we fill up the loophole? Even if it is to maintain the church’s reputation, this should be reported to the church and we’ll let the bishop make a decision.”

Mrs Sanders paused and said, “I know what you think. You must think it was Reverend Ross but I can tell you that he was the most upright and noble priest I have ever met. He couldn’t do these things. He must have been deceived. Before it is clear, we can’t just destroy his personal reputation. Why don’t you think about this? From today, we will try our best to privately investigate the people and anything related to this matter. If nothing is found after a month, we will report to the church immediately and let the church make a decision.”

Evan felt a little nervous but he could not directly reject Mrs Sanders’ request.

After communicating with Mrs Sanders about the accounts of the church, Evan was deeply worried. This incident was completely beyond his expectations. He was afraid that some kind of accident would occur, which would lead to a change in the information he had of this world.

But this worry did not last for long because he was hit by an even more shocking news at this time.

Evan had just finished his prayers that morning when Sheriff Chandler suddenly came to the church. The relationship between him and Evan had grown closer since the time he was sent home by Evan after he had gotten drunk.

“Reverend Bruce, His Excellency the Duke will also be present at this fireworks festival. Please pay more attention when the time comes.” The inappropriately dressed sheriff carelessly said.

“Fireworks festival?” Evan looked at Sheriff Chandler with some doubt, he had never heard of this.

“Oh, didn’t you know?” Sheriff Chandler looked at Evan with surprise, “I thought I had already told you.” Sheriff Chandler smiled with embarrassment and then started to explain the specific situation of this festival to Evan.

This is an old tradition in Delanlier. On the day spring begins, a fireworks festival is held to celebrate the arrival of spring and hope for a bumper harvest in the coming year.

As the priest of Delanlier, Evan plays a very important role in this process because he will need to preside over the festival from beginning to the end.

Evan listened to Sheriff Chandler’s description and his whole person nearly collapsed. He has never had any experience in this area nor has he made any preparations for it. What was even more frustrating was that there were only three days left. Only three days left to prepare for the fireworks festival.

¹ * Bloodletting (or blood-letting) is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to prevent or cure illness and disease. Bloodletting, whether by a physician or by leeches, was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily fluids were regarded as “humours” that had to remain in proper balance to maintain health. It is claimed to have been the most common medical practice performed by surgeons from antiquity until the late 19th century, a span of over 2,000 years.² ** born with a golden spoon — someone who was born into privilege and wealth

• 1 * Bloodletting (or blood-letting) is the withdrawal of blood from a patient to prevent or cure illness and disease. Bloodletting, whether by a physician or by leeches, was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily fluids were regarded as “humours” that had to remain in proper balance to maintain health. It is claimed to have been the most common medical practice performed by surgeons from antiquity until the late 19th century, a span of over 2,000 years.
• 2 ** born with a golden spoon — someone who was born into privilege and wealth